Urbina
Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend
La Rioja, Spain
Past it’s prime. Too much barnyard on the nose, when there should be none. Smells like someone went nuts with the sulfur... or farted in the bottle. The flavour is mellowed from the age, but erring on sour. Would have loved to try this a few years ago.
Past it’s prime. Too much barnyard on the nose, when there should be none. Smells like someone went nuts with the sulfur... or farted in the bottle. The flavour is mellowed from the age, but erring on sour. Would have loved to try this a few years ago.
May 23rd, 2021
It legit smells like a sewer. Very mellow. Perhaps past it’s prime... #Ramos
It legit smells like a sewer. Very mellow. Perhaps past it’s prime... #Ramos
Ah, Urbina Gran Reserva: a special wine for me. One of my first great encounters in the world of wine, tasted as a waiter at 17. It was this, the 1996, along with the ‘94, that blew me away and kickstarted my love for Rioja. According to this app, I haven’t had this wine since 2013, which could well be true. I recall it then (less experienced, sure) as one of the nicest wines I’d ever had. I’ve held onto a bottle since, so thought I’d give it another try. To be honest, I wasn’t too hopeful - my cellar at home is superb in winter, but in summer is too hot, and the wine has spent at least four or five years there. These concerns were, it turns out, misplaced.
What a bottle! I am truly shocked by the youthfulness of this wine; it tastes more like ten years old, not 25, with sour cherry, kirsch, ripe raspberry, cedar, soggy Earth, bitter orange, dark chocolate (but white chocolate too?) and singed tobacco leaf. A whole three hours after decanting, there’s a slight hint of sweet vanilla. Ripe, supple tannins and generous acidity make this a profoundly complex, ageworthy wine that requires yet further time in bottle - or decanter, if opening now - to blossom.
Ah, Urbina Gran Reserva: a special wine for me. One of my first great encounters in the world of wine, tasted as a waiter at 17. It was this, the 1996, along with the ‘94, that blew me away and kickstarted my love for Rioja. According to this app, I haven’t had this wine since 2013, which could well be true. I recall it then (less experienced, sure) as one of the nicest wines I’d ever had. I’ve held onto a bottle since, so thought I’d give it another try. To be honest, I wasn’t too hopeful - my cellar at home is superb in winter, but in summer is too hot, and the wine has spent at least four or five years there. These concerns were, it turns out, misplaced.
What a bottle! I am truly shocked by the youthfulness of this wine; it tastes more like ten years old, not 25, with sour cherry, kirsch, ripe raspberry, cedar, soggy Earth, bitter orange, dark chocolate (but white chocolate too?) and singed tobacco leaf. A whole three hours after decanting, there’s a slight hint of sweet vanilla. Ripe, supple tannins and generous acidity make this a profoundly complex, ageworthy wine that requires yet further time in bottle - or decanter, if opening now - to blossom.
So good. These old Riojas are speaking to me these days. Vegetable garden, cigar, dried fruit. Young and old at the same time, which I saw as another review. So good. A fantastic solo dining companion.
So good. These old Riojas are speaking to me these days. Vegetable garden, cigar, dried fruit. Young and old at the same time, which I saw as another review. So good. A fantastic solo dining companion.
Jun 8th, 2017
Cigar box and dead leaves for days. Youthful yet old at the same time. Beautiful.
Cigar box and dead leaves for days. Youthful yet old at the same time. Beautiful.
Dec 21st, 2014Haven't had one of these for some time so thought it might show some shortcomings. Nope. Remains one of the nicest wines I've ever had.
Haven't had one of these for some time so thought it might show some shortcomings. Nope. Remains one of the nicest wines I've ever had.
Nov 22nd, 2013
Today, I tried the 1995 vintage wine. The cork is aged and broken. I need to take out the cork with the help of tools. The wine will sober up for 15 minutes and 30 minutes. The aroma is full and the mineral feeling is not obvious. It is not as strong as the mineral feeling of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is light, and the acidity is balanced.
Today, I tried the 1995 vintage wine. The cork is aged and broken. I need to take out the cork with the help of tools. The wine will sober up for 15 minutes and 30 minutes. The aroma is full and the mineral feeling is not obvious. It is not as strong as the mineral feeling of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is light, and the acidity is balanced.
Jan 11th, 2023
A good wine from an outstanding vintage. There is still lively cherry fruit with the typical Gran Reserva leather and cocoa, but this particular bottle exhibited some oxidation with a cork that disintegrated at the back half. Medium tannin, high alcohol, and high acid. It might be time to drink this vintage up.
A good wine from an outstanding vintage. There is still lively cherry fruit with the typical Gran Reserva leather and cocoa, but this particular bottle exhibited some oxidation with a cork that disintegrated at the back half. Medium tannin, high alcohol, and high acid. It might be time to drink this vintage up.
Dec 16th, 2021